Draft day is sort of like Christmas, as the weeks leading up to the event are often times just as big as the day itself.

Ted S. Warren / Associated PressTaking Chris Johnson on Draft Day is the easy part. Now, it's what to do with the other 14 guys.

The only thing really missing is the tree and the lights.

If you think of it, there are presents to open. (“Gee, I hope I get a Chris Johnson this year.”) There are commericals. (I, too, am excited about no more dots.) And in my league, there was even a fat man who runs the show, albeit I was not wearing a red suit.

And just like Christmas, you have time to reflect when the day is over. Sure, there’s that sweater from Grandma which will be food for the moths (Laurent Robinson), there’s that cool gadget from Aunt Cindy you might use every once in a while (Clinton Portis), and there’s the video game you’ll never let out of your sight (Adrian Peterson).

As a whole, what do you do with it all? That, my friends, is where fantasy football beats Christmas.

How you use your gifts are just as important as the gifts themselves. That sweater you thought you’d never wear might suddenly turn into the greatest thing since (Jerry) Rice.

In other words, just because you got Ray Rice, Michael Turner and Tom Brady doesn’t mean you’re set. Take pride in the game, or don’t play at all.

We’re going to do our best to help you, and it begins Thursday with a Week 1 preview. We’ll help you decide who to sit and who to start. We’ll also give some advice on who might be worth a shot to claim off the waiver wire.

Then on Tuesdays, we’ll wrap up the week and take a look back on how we did, and I will answer any questions we might get during the week in the mailbag.

And Saints expert Mike Triplett also will have a weekly column on how Saints players might impact your fantasy team.

So stick with us, and for the next 17 weeks, we’ll do our best to make you feel like it’s Christmas morning every day.

Just make sure to leave cookies for the fat man. I think chocolate chip is his favorite.

If you have any questions or comments, please send them to jderry@timespicayune.com. Don’t forget to include what type of league you play in, how many teams are in your league, what format you use and whether you’re in a keeper league or not. We will open the mailbag on Thursdays and Tuesdays.